PINA

New Zealand have clinched the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship after a dramatic 1- 0 last-minute winner in Papeete. With only seconds remaining, Katie Pugh sealed the title for the Kiwis to break Fijian hearts, who had put in a herculean effort. As expected, New Zealand started the brighter and dominated possession in the opening stages. To their credit, Fiji were resolute...

Tahiti have taken third place at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Papeete following a high-scoring encounter with Tonga at Stade Pater. Despite going behind to an early goal from Tama’a Faletau, the host nation rallied impressively, hitting back with a quick double to take the lead, before three late first-half goals put them in command at the break. With 6...

Australian scientist Dr Kelly Strzepek, Tuesday emphasised the importance of having the Pacific region make the decision on how to conduct energy transition. “We no longer speak of just greening our networks,” she said. “We speak of a transition…away from fossil fuels. Because at this moment in time, if we don’t set a new course, we are committing to a truly...

The United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa says the potential for growth in the Pacific is the driving force behind global interest in the region. Recently President Joe Biden met with Pacific leaders at the White House, where the geopolitical powerhouse offered additional economic aid in the hopes of competing with the growing Chinese presence in the region. U.S...

The new Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert presented her credentials to the President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, at a State House ceremony today. On this occasion, Ambassador Plinkert stressed the importance of the EU's relationship with Fiji: “I accept with great pleasure and honour this new posting to your beautiful country. The European...

In a resounding call to action, Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni, has united Pacific nations to address the escalating crisis of plastic pollution in our ocean. Speaking at the Regional Symposium on Plastic Pollution in Suva, Dr Manoni emphasised the profound impact of plastic waste revealing that every year, 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced and about 40...

Australia said it will grant AUD$31 million (US$20 million) to Tonga to complete a vital port upgrade, boosting funds from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as Canberra focuses on building climate resilient infrastructure. The Pacific Islands region faces an infrastructure investment deficit of US$12 billion through to 2030 as climate shocks including cyclones, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions damage roads, ports...

The Pacific Island nation of Cook Islands, with just over 17,000 population, has one of the most comprehensive social protection policy in the Asia Pacific region. It has been in place since the 1960s – where successive governments have ensured that its poor, vulnerable and children are taken care of. Anne Herman, the island nation’s secretary for internal affairs attributed...

The COVI19 pandemic has reshaped the world exposing vulnerabilities in social protection systems – forcing governments to re-evaluate the impacts on their citizens, particularly the vulnerable and marginalised communities. Asian Development Bank’s Vice President (Sectors and Themes), Fatima Yasmin said the events of the last few years have highlighted the critical need for social protection – and the importance of...

The New Zealand government has given its full blessing to Cook Islands and Niue establishing diplomatic relations with the United States. At the U.S-Pacific summit on Monday (Washington time), President Joe Biden said he recognises the two island nations as sovereign and independent states, an announcement which the US Embassy in Aotearoa has labelled as “historic”. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said...